Open AccessEffect of water extract of dates palm (Phoenix dactylifera) on semen characteristics and oxidative status in serum of male New Zealand rabbits under heat stress
Author(s) -
A. Khalifa,
Gamal A. El-Sisy,
Walid S. El-Nattat,
A. M. Mourad,
Nagwa Maghraby
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of reproduction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.167
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 2305-0519
pISSN - 2305-0500
DOI - 10.4103/2305-0500.220981
Subject(s) - phoenix dactylifera , sperm motility , palm , malondialdehyde , sperm , lipid peroxidation , ascorbic acid , zoology , semen analysis , oxidative stress , andrology , testosterone (patch) , semen , biology , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , food science , infertility , pregnancy , physics , genetics , quantum mechanics
Objective: To estimate the effects of the water extract of dates palm (Phoenix dactylifera)\ud(DWE) on sperm quality parameters, testosterone level and serum antioxidants activities of\udNew Zealand rabbits under heat stress. Methods: A total of 30 bucks of New Zealand White\udrabbits were randomly divided into three equal groups as follows: Group 1 was treated as\udcontrol group and fed on balanced commercial ration. Groups 2 and 3 were treated with 10\udand 20 mL of dates extract substituting water in the early morning before watering and fed\udon balanced commercial ration. This schedule was performed daily for 5 days/week, for\udan experimental period of 5 weeks. Fertility parameters such as reaction time, potential of\udhydrogen ion (pH), mass motility, individual progressive motility %, percentage of live sperm\udand abnormal sperm (%) were measured. Blood serum testosterone level, serum glutathione\udreduced, nitric oxide, ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde were also determined. Results: The\uddaily oral administration of 10 mL DWE significantly increased the pH, the mass motility and\udindividual progressive motility % compared to the control group. Although, the consumption\udof 20 mL DWE significantly (P<0.000 1) increased the live sperm% and decreased the\udabnormal sperm % compared to the other two treatments. The administration of date\udextracts (10 and 20 mL) had significantly (P<0.000 1) decreased nitric oxide and glutathione\udreduced levels compared to the control. On the other hand, it increased significantly the lipid\udperoxidation, ascorbic acid and testosterone level compared to the control. Conclusions:\udThe aqueous extract of date palm (10-20 mL) could enhance the rabbit bucks fertility and its\udhealth performance